A FORMER sandwich shop owner has gone back to basics with a traditional chip shop in Swansea Market.

Tim Lloyd has transformed two units in the city centre indoor market into a venue selling chips, faggots and peas.

The 50-year-old from Jersey Marine was involved in steel erecting for 25 years, but decided he wanted a career change.

Mr Lloyd swapped steel for sandwiches and ran a Subway shop in Neath for four years before opening a second shop in Gorseinon, which is now run by his son, Jamie.

During his time in Neath he saw the success of four fish and chip shops in the market in the town and decided there was an opportunity for a similar business in Swansea.

He said: "People were coming from Llanelli, Swansea and the Valleys to the chip shops in Neath and I thought, 'why isn't there one in Swansea?'

"I thought there was no proper fish and chip shop in the city centre."

Mr Lloyd opened his business in late January with one member of staff and said he was hoping to take on more employees as popularity grows.

The venture is spread across units which have previously been home to a cafe, a butchers and a printer.

He said: "This business will hopefully bring more people in and they will spend more money in the market on other things."

The Market Chippy owner sources his products from his fellow market traders, including butcher Hugh Phillips.

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Mr Lloyd said he was also keen to cook food to order as a tool to encourage repeat business.

He said: "I could save here and there, but I want people to come back.

"The market was crying out for something like this and the other market traders have been lovely.

"A lot of the market traders come to me.

"I've become friends with them already.

"This is back to basics food.

"This is the basis for hopefully quite a successful business, and if I can employ people it creates jobs and it all helps."